whistlenut wrote:Before you guys all go crazy about buying a TT load, get your money ready. The TT driver will NOT want to make any additional stops without some compensation. You can mix and match your delivery with several sizes, HOWEVER, the size of the pallets will not be one ton, they will be 2500 lbs. No, they won't lick your boots if you want a one ton pallet, they will just charge you more. It takes a LARGE skid steer to do a 2500 lb lift and maneuver it around.....a fork truck had better have SOLID footing, so wherever and whenever you get a delivery, make DAMNED sure it is accessible and safe. Coal bagged at the plants will be in the 240/ton range and 45 to 60 a ton delivery IF everything goes well.Certified or bank checks.....a tip for the driver is a nice thing to do, also. Sooooo, you are looking at 285-300 a ton in Conn and Mass, delivered to one spot.....then distribution. So If your local guy is 319 to 329/ton, you can see that does not leave much room for all the crap you have to deal with. A bulk load of one size saves money, however you better have a good spot to store and load from. Would any of you want to take a $5200.00 cost and sit on it for 20.00 a ton return? Sam's Club would laugh at you for trying it. The is not to scare anyone, just to make you understand that there isn't much to save in the short term.

I was about ready to post nearly the same thing, nicely done. I have been splitting a TT load of bagged coal with two other family members since 2008. I really have to keep a sharp pencil for the trucking to save $40 per ton compared to my local supplier. It only works for us because my dad owns about 25 acres with a nice spot to unload trucks...and my brother lives next door with a large skidsteer for his business. If you have to rent a forklift to unload the truck, your savings quickly goes down.

One other point - The savings from buying a TT load is nice, but I really like knowing that I have a winter's worth of coal on-site before the leaves fall.

Just sayin' WN and Rob are spot on...The only way bagged TT coal works is if ...You can get free stuff...The fork, the yard and the end user takes their own...Now if you have a piggyback for free then you can deliver...Bulk you can get cheaper but then you need different equipment...Oh and get paid in cash up front...

Whistle Nut is spot on. I totally agree. Coal is a commodity like gas and oil. Buying in bulk is not exactly going to save a lot of cash. These dealers have also figured out a way to offer the lowest price to its customers. I can buy coal for $299 a ton from Squire Lumber in Monson. Last year I needed to pay a $30/ton delivery charge. But that included a skid steer and he brought it to my back cellar door. Major plus!! A guy closer wanted about $350/ton (also a skid steer). So I saved a bit. But my point is. It is not a lot of cash savings. Like how people drive 25 miles to save 5 cents off a gallon of gas. If you pump 20 gallons in your tank, then you save $1. Not enough to worry about for me.